I rode Bouffe yesterday for the first time in three years. It's been a long road back, with lots of physical therapy along the way, but I finally made it! When I get up on Bouffe's back I am an entirely different person; I have my legs back.
Bouffe stands quietly, always taking care of me, as I put my left foot in the stirrup and drag my right leg over his back. We ride quietly away, with Zoe behind us on her horse Onyx. Once out in the field both horses walk along, but Bouffe is his usual lazy easy going self and needs some encouragement from my legs to pick up the pace. I do a two point stance, but not for long as my legs are still weak. I sit down and pretend to race ride, which even though Boufee ignored me, still brought back those memories that felt so good. It's nothing like it.
All and all yesterday was wonderful. I got my life back!
In reading the title of this blog it says a man's journey with Multiple Sclerosis and an old bay horse. Since I have been back posting it has only been about Bouffe; so, I need to fill you in about me.
This time last year I was just getting home from spending eight weeks in the hospital after getting a very serious infection that the doctors, to this day, still cannot identify. The infection did affect my MS, making all of the symptoms worse. I am still trying to get back to where I was before getting sick. Riding Bouffe again is my goal, which I am working towards very slowly with PT, exercise and music therapy.
I wrote while I was in there and this what I transcribed after being brought back to life on April 28, 2016 at 8pm.
April 28, 2016 8pm
BLACK, black as a night lacking a moon or any stars.
Black was something my mother never liked;
for, it was evil, the devil, hell.
But I felt a sense of peace,
until the pounding began on my chest.
A beating as if administered with a brick
that was crumbling with every blow.
Each clubbing more intense
until a flash of light broke the darkness
and I heard the screaming
WAYNE, WAYNE.
***
Performing music both vocally and with my guitar is a creative process that I find very spiritual.
That Light
The show is just over
You’ve been with God for the last two hours.
There is nothing any better.
You get ready for bed and light a candle.
Everything you need is in that Light.
You fall asleep and do it all over again
tomorrow.
***
Finally, here are some more photos Zoe took of Bouffe:
My hamstring muscle is still not healed. I have had ultra sound treatments and hippotherapy, both of which made it feel better, but as soon as I try to go on with my previous activities (walking the dog, swimming pool maintenance, etc.,) the muscle seizes up again. I was suppose to have a lesson with Eileen this morning, but it was canceled because of my leg. Right now I am having trouble walking, so I didn't go to the farm at all.
Besides for the ongoing physical issues I have because of my Multiple Sclerosis I now have pulled a hamstring muscle in my left leg and cannot ride at least until Monday. I am not sure how I injured myself, (probably just overdoing since I felt so much better wearing the Tommie Copper) but my left leg has been so painful to walk on that I haven't been to the farm since the end of last week. I have been going to PT with Mike Mauro and after two session my lege does feel better. I have another session tomorrow and I am confident as always that Mike will get me back in the saddle.
Leslie has been keeping an eye on Bouffe and he is still eating good; so, I hope his mouth is healing along with my leg.
Today the weather got worse as the day went on. I had physical therapy with Mike at 8:30. He worked his usual magic on my legs and I felt better when I left.
I originally had planned to go to the farm when I left PT, but when I opened the door of the office building, I was welcomed by rain, wind and temperatures that would soon fall enough that the rain changed to snow, which was enough to change my mind and I came home. Hopefully, Friday will be a better day.
I had physical therapy this morning and I am feeling better, but still not able to ride. I have another unrelated doctor's appointment on Friday; so, I am done for the week. I am thankful that this is happening now and not during the show session. I keep on thinking that when I am down.
Right now I am so sore that I am having problems even walking. And after doing anything but sitting, the fatigue sets in and I am back in the chair. Because of all of this, I didn't go to the farm this morning and might not be able to the rest of the week.
I have a physical therapy appointment first thing Wednesday morning, with a man who knows more about my MS and how it has effected my ability to be mobile, than any doctor I have ever seen. I would not have made it this far with out my physical therapist, Michael Mauro. Not having PT for the last month because of the Medicare system is the only thing I can attribute to my feeling so bad. I am very hopeful that after seeing Mike on Wednesday I will be able to ride Bouffe again. It has worked before and I am counting on PT again.
I had my physical therapy appointment this morning and Mike did a good job stretching my legs. I felt as good as I can, all things considered, and was ready to ride Bouffe, but it didn't happen. His back was very sore.
Since the saddle fits him perfectly (I fitted it again today) there is no reason for the saddle to be making his back sore. I wasn't sure what to do and was giving Bouffe a bath when Colleen, who does Reiki, showed up. Her Reiki treatments, had been recommended by Leslie and several others, as a possible solution for Bouffe back problem and his reluctance to be indoors. She did a preliminary exam on Bouffe and could feel tension and other issues going on in several of his Chakras. I set up an appointment with her to do a complete treatment on Bouffe over the weekend and meet with her on Monday to get the results. I am looking forward to hearing what she finds.
I really needed my physical therapy appointment this morning. I was very stiff in my joints and my leg muscles felt tight. I would be this way everyday, if it wasn't for Mike.
He and I have been working together on my multiple sclerosis for a long time, and I know, Bouffe would not be a part of my life, if I hadn't taken Mike's direction in doing my daily stretching exercises. He has kept me out of a wheelchair, and I will always appreciate all the time he has spent helping me.
If you don't have a physical therapist, get one! They will keep you mobile, for as long as you have the desire.
